
If you just can't decide between chicken and dumplings or classic chicken soup, combine the two in this extra-cozy recipe. My grandfather’s version of chicken noodle soup was a take on chicken and dumplings; the base starts out like classic chicken soup, but the noodles were swapped out with homemade fluffy dumplings. It shakes up the classic soup with a hearty twist I just can't get enough of.
Chicken breasts are used here, but you can use a mix of thighs and breasts if you prefer. Don't have dumplings? Sub in store-bought frozen gnocchi (or any store-bought dumplings) in a pinch.
Tip: Use this hack in soups beyond this one! My mom still doctors canned soup by adding in frozen dumplings, and I do too when I’m craving a doughy, hearty component in my soup.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
Ingredients
Soup
- 1 tsp.
extra-virgin olive oil
- 2
medium yellow onions, finely chopped (about 1 c.)
- 2
stalks celery, finely chopped
- 2
carrots, finely chopped
- 2
cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tsp.
fresh thyme leaves
- 1 lb.
boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2" pieces
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups
(32 oz.) low-sodium chicken broth
Dumplings & Assembly
- 1 1/2 cups
all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp.
baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp.
kosher salt, plus more
- 1
large egg
- 2/3 cup
buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp.
unsalted butter, melted
Freshly ground black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Directions
Soup
- Step 1In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Cook onions, celery, and carrots, stirring, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Step 2Move vegetables to one side of pot and add chicken; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring to combine, until chicken is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Add broth and 1/2 c. water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until ready to use.
Dumplings & Assembly
- Step 1In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in center of flour mixture and add egg, buttermilk, and butter. Mix with a fork until combined.
- Step 2Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dumpling mixture into soup. Cover and cook over low heat until dumplings are cooked through, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
- Step 3Divide soup among bowls. Top with parsley.